All emotionshave their appropriate place and time, butpositive emotionsare the ones most of us prefer to have more frequently, with maybe a light scattering of negative ones to prove we’re still human.
And yet, we often find ways to make ourselves miserable, and then we wonder why we catch every bug that’s going around.
It’s no longer a leap to see the connection between our emotions and our physical (as well as mental) health.
In essence, the more time we spend with positive emotions that are in congruence with our core truth, the healthier we are.
And because what we feel is tied to what we believe and to the words we use to express those beliefs, we can make more room forpositive feelingsby eliminating the beliefs and the language that are hostile to them.
First, though, we need to know what emotions are and why they’re so powerful.
What are emotions?
Generally speaking, an emotion is a felt response to something that affects you in some way. Depending on whom you ask, emotions can either be an involuntary response to something (like a reflex) or a chosen response (like a judgment).
However you see them, the emotions you feel have a profound effect on every aspect of your life, from your relationships to the quality of your work to your longevity and overall health.
As much as we usually enjoy positive emotions more than negative ones, though, we actually need both.
Why we need positive emotions.
Take a look at some of the benefits of positive emotions:
- Better health and productivity
- Stronger relationships
- More effective coping strategies and greater resilience
- Protection against cognitive decline
- Better productivity and more effective work
- More effective leadership and enhanced job performance
- A greater feeling of connectedness to others
Taking the time to cultivate and to mindfully enjoy positive emotions helps us to grow and makes us better able to contribute to the happiness of others.
Positive Emotions List
You can no doubt think of more, but let’s consider the following 55 positive emotions.
As you go down the positive emotions list, take a moment to think of a time when you felt each one.
Visualize that moment and try to feel its corresponding emotion with the same intensity. Don’t be surprised if you remember other, less positive emotions associated with the same memories.
Sometimes anger is the prelude to triumph. Sometimes sadness leads us to a moment of awe and admiration. And guilt can make us eager to become better examples to others.
Sometimes that veryguilt and shamewe feel can make it easier to forgive others the hurt they’ve caused us.
There’s power in knowing that the context (which includes your response to it) rather than the feeling itself is what makes it either beneficial or harmful. See if you can find proof of this as you go through your own memories of each positive emotion in this list.
1. Admiration
Think of this as approval with a dash of awe — often with respect to a person you look up to.
2. Abundance
This emotion is how it feels when you have everything you need and then some — so much that there’s no need to worry you’ll run out.
3. Affection
This is a warm feeling directed toward someone (or a pet) whose company you enjoy.
4. Attraction
Ever felt a strong inner pull toward something or toward another person?
5. Altruism
This is the feeling you get when you do something good for someone else. It can also be an overwhelming desire to show generosity to others without expecting a return.
6. Amusement
You get this feeling when something takes you by surprise and makes you laugh or when you find yourself pleasantly distracted by something.
7. Awe
Think of admiration or gratitude with a touch of reverence.
8. Abundance
This emotion is how it feels when you have everything you need and then some — so much that there’s no need to worry you’ll run out.
9. Bold and Daring
Have you ever felt a fearless or fear-defying readiness to step (or ask) beyond your comfort zone?
10. Blissful
Imagine a state of intense or increased satisfaction or contentment.
11. Cheerfulness
This is what you feel when you’re noticeably happy and upbeat. You might just think of it as “being in a good mood.”
12. Compassion
Imagine feeling a strong sympathy and concern for the sufferings of others.
13. Confidence
Think of this as a feeling of calm trust in your abilities or qualities — or a certainty that something is true.
14. Connectedness
You feel consciously linked to all humanity or all living things, so much that you can’t stomach the thought of harming anyone or ignoring their suffering.
15. Contentment
When you feel content, you’re genuinely happy and satisfied with your current state of reality.
16. Curiosity
Curiosity is what you feel when you feel compelled to know more about something that has captured your interest.
17. Dynamism
Dynamism is what you feel when you overcome something that once daunted you. Something in you has shifted, and you feel ready for the next challenge.
18. Eagerness
Have you ever felt a passionate readiness to do or experience something?
19. Elevation
This is the feeling you get when you see someone go above and beyond the normal level of kindness, generosity, and compassion.
20. Empowerment
To feel this is to feel endowed with the power to do something (or anything).
21. Enjoyment and Delight
想到你如何收费l when you take pleasure in something or find joy in it.
22. Enthusiasm
Imagine yourself feeling an energetic and optimistic interest in something.
23. Euphoria
To feel euphoric is to feel an intense, giddy happiness or elation.
24. Excitement
This is a state of agitated and optimistic anticipation — often in regards to something that’s about to happen or something you want to do.
25. Fascination
You feel such an intense interest in something it eclipses all else. You ache to know more about it.
26. Freedom
Imagine a strong feeling of self-determination or of having just been liberated from a type of slavery.
27. Friendship
You feel bound to someone by fellowship or mutual understanding. You like each other well enough to spend time together, and you like the way you feel when you do.
28.宽恕
The power of this emotion is in its readiness to let go of any ill will toward someone who has hurt you and to want only good for them instead.
29. Generosity
This is a feeling that makes you want to give more of your resources or yourself to others to help them or show them your love and support.
30. Gratitude
Thepower of gratitudeis in its readiness to show thankfulness for something or for all the goodness in your life.
31. Goodwill
Imagine the feeling of wanting only good things for someone and wanting a good life for that person, regardless of whether the feeling is mutual.
32. Harmony
You feel at peace with those around you. Maybe you don’t agree on everything, but your mutual respect and love eclipse any differences.
33. Hopefulness
Hope is more often associated with faith or trust than with arbitrarily choosing to expect everything to turn out well. It goes beyond mere optimism to embrace and hold onto a promise of ultimate happiness.
34. Happiness
Genuine happiness is a feeling of intense and unshakable well-being regarding your current state of reality.
35. Importance
You feel a sense of importance when someone acknowledges your value and how critical you are to their success or happiness.
36. Inspiration
Think of when you’ve felt mentally stimulated to do or to create something.
37. Interest
Imagine the feeling of wanting to know more about something or someone that has caught your attention.
38. Joyfulness
When you feel this intense delight or happiness, it’s often because of something that has happened or because of something someone did.
39. Love
爱的情感是一种深刻affec的感觉tion for someone and an intense desire to serve that person’s best interest. It can also include a desire for a closer relationship.
40. Momentum
You’ve got the ball rolling, and you’re accomplishing things you hadn’t before. You feel unstoppable.
41. Optimism
When you feel optimistic, you have confidence that things will work out to your advantage and/or to someone else’s.
42. Passion
Passion is what you feel when something or someone lights a fire in you. You love what you’re doing so much that it compels you to continue doing it.
43. Pride
Imagine feeling a deep satisfaction in the accomplishment of something or a strong appreciation for your own worth or dignity.
44. Relief
Think of the feeling that washes over you when something turns out better than expected.
45.启示
Think of a moment when you suddenly realized a profound and life-changing truth (an epiphany).
46. Romance
You feel romance when you’re in love with someone, or when your partner does something romantic for you.
47. Satisfaction
Satisfaction implies both gratification and approval with regard to an experience or an occurrence.
48. Serenity
Have you ever felt an unshakable calm or tranquility irrespective of your circumstances?
49. Spontaneity
Ever felt propelled into doing something unexpected and spur-of-the-moment? Maybe it surprised you, or perhaps you felt freer and more like yourself.
50. Surprise (the good kind)
Think of surprise as a feeling of pleasant astonishment or stunned satisfaction over a sudden or an unexpected experience or occurrence.
51. Spontaneity
Ever felt propelled into doing something unexpected and spur-of-the-moment? Maybe it surprised you, or perhaps you felt freer and more like yourself.
52. Triumph
Remember the feeling of having achieved a great victory or of having prevailed over a challenge.
53. Unity
你觉得美国with someone or with a group of like-minded fellows. You stand as one.
54. Wholeness
You feel integrated as if something you lost has returned, or something you were always missing is now part of you.
55. Worthiness
Tofeel worthy is to feel good enoughand deserving of something good.
Observe Your Feelings And Emotions
One of the best ways to understand and savor these positive feeling words is by observing them as they appear in yourself. Pay attention to emotions as they rise up in your conscious awareness.
Or at random times, check in with yourself to see what emotional state you are in.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What positive emotion am I experiencing right now?
- How does this emotion make me feel?
- How does this emotion impact my attitude and outlook?
- What might have triggered or fostered this positive feeling?
- How can I return to this happy emotion again?
Having more clarity around your good feelings helps you know yourself and what impacts your mood for the better. When negative feelings arise, you can use this information to improve your state of mind.
Understanding Good Emotions
良好的情绪是那些符合the truth; they represent an appropriate response to the way things are — inside and out.
But while your subconscious knows the difference between real and fake emotions (and your body will reflect what it knows), youcanmake more room for positive emotions.
- You can practice being more grateful and present in each moment.
- You can spend more time enjoying and taking delight in the good things you have.
- And you can forgive others, even when it’s not the first response that comes to mind when you think of them. Forgive them for your own sake, so you can replace that stubborn and painful resentment with serenity and goodwill.
Good emotions — bothpositiveand negative — can work together to help you put your house in order. What will you start with today?
Want a free download of the complete list of positive emotions?
More Related Articles:
37 Quotes On Gratitude To Shower People You Love
101 Life-Changing Positive Affirmations
15 Dynamite Qualities Of A Dynamic Personality
How will you use this list of positive emotions?
I hope this article has helped clarify the role of positive emotions in your life and in the lives of those close to you.
Whatever kind of day you’re having, remember that the words you use to express what you believeandwhat you feel about something impacts everything you do.
You don’t have to use positive feeling words all the time, either. Sometimes, it makes more sense to acknowledge a negative emotion and give it its due — as long as it doesn’t stick around longer than you need it.
If you’ve found value in this article, I hope you’ll share it with others and encourage them to pass it on. The more we share what has helped us grow, the more we contribute to the growth of others. It’s a win-win.
Keep on winning.
